Karnataka Govt invites naxals for talks

Madikeri, Nov 26 (UNI) The Karnataka government is willing to hold talks with Naxalites if they come across the table after laying down their weapons, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said today.

Addressing presspersons at Kodagu after handing over Rs 5 lakhs cheque on behalf of the government to the bereaved family members of KSRP Constable Guruprasad, who was killed by Naxals recently during encounter by Anti-Naxal Squad, he said that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has already announced his willingness to discuss the problems of Naxals if they comeforward shelving violence and arms.

Karnataka was not a target for them unlike other states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or Chattisgarh, he added.

Stating that his ministry has information that Naxals are not targeting Karnataka, Dr Acharya said that the government is capable of silencing stray incidents being reported here since 2002.

He said that ATF would be equipped with sophisticated weapons to tackle Naxal situations and they would be provided better training.

Dr Acharya alleged that is a systematic racket is working behind Naxal problem in the State and it would disclosed at a proper time.

The Minister said that the government would pay Rs 25,000, as incentive, to each of the 18 police personnel who fought with Naxals during recent encounter in Chikamagalur District in which three naxalites and Guruprasad were killed.

The Home Minister declared that the parents of Guruprasad will get the salary amount of Guruprasad each month, calculating his service years. His sister who is working in CRPF in New Delhi will also be called back and the Centre would be requested to post her in Karnataka Police Department. The family would also get another Rs three lakh through Group Insurance.

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